"Those who present the actions of terrorist organizations as 'successful' acts are responsible for the blood that has been shed and will be shed," said an angry Başbuğ, adding: "This is my last word. I invite everyone to be careful and to stand in the correct position." Başbuğ's remarks targeting media freedom have drawn extensive reactions from the media, with many commentators finding the general's style of speech too harsh and exaggerated and many voicing disappointment over the fact that he failed to respond to the allegations. Vatan's Güngör Mengi finds Başbuğ's reaction very exaggerated and says he was surprised to hear him lashing out at the media instead of responding to charges of security flaws in the TSK. On Başbuğ's remarks calling on everyone to stand in the correct position, Mengi says everyone in a democratic country is standing in the place they believe to be correct. "Making such a call will be an injustice to this nation, which has a traditional trust in the military, and gives the PKK a reason to boost itself although it does not deserve it. I respect the general's sentiments, but I am opposed to his way of speaking," says Mengi.
"I did not like the way Başbuğ spoke. If only they would investigate whether or not the documents revealed by the Taraf daily had included the correct information instead of launching an investigation into those who leaked the documents," says Sabah's Nazlı Ilıcak. She says nobody is trying to weaken the TSK or praise the PKK, but everyone is looking for answers to the questions on everyone's tongues.
Yeni Şafak's Ali Bayramoğlu says Başbuğ's tone of voice and style were too authoritarian to be accepted in a democratic state. "In democratic countries, generals cannot dictate how others act. They cannot tell the media how it should behave. They cannot scold journalists [gathered for a press conference on military premises] as if they were scolding junior soldiers. They cannot label them as PKK supporters, and they cannot challenge them," says Bayramoğlu. He stresses that generals cannot behave this way in a democratic state that is governed by the rule of law for any reason.
